FRIDAY I Feature: Firm Has Long History With Leadership Program

June 23, 2017

When Attorney Taylor Marshall graduated from the Leadership Greater Little Rock Program (LGLR), he joined not one but two special alumni groups. One includes more than 1,500 graduates of the Little Rock Regional Chamber's leadership program while the other is a special group of 20 attorneys from Friday, Eldredge & Clark who are LGLR graduates and continue to serve their community as leaders

Graduation for the XXXII LGLR class was held earlier today, Friday, June 23, at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock where more than 50 individuals received recognition for completing the nine-month program. Taylor, who was joined by his parents and firm colleagues, graduated from the well-established and highly respected program that each year turns out a pool of qualified leaders in the community.

Colleagues and family members attended the LGLR Class of XXXII graduation of Attorney Taylor Marshall. (Pictured L to R) Attorneys Blake Lewis, Tim Ezell, Ryan Bowman, Taylor and his parents Bill and Peggy Marshall and managing partner Shep Russell. Not pictured are Bill Waddell, Bob Beach and Mike Moore.

The program began in 1985 with the idea to take a group of individuals who are already making an impact in their business or local community and, with specialized training and education, give them the tools to become even better leaders and make a bigger impact on the community.

And the program works, according to Judy Love who served as director of LGLR for more than 30 years. "The impact our graduates have on the community is tremendous," she said. "So many of them are running the city now. Our alumni include a bunch of city managers, board members and a couple of mayors."

A selection committee chooses each class after giving careful consideration to form a group that represents a cross-section of the community, and reflects its diversity and closely parallels the demographics of the metro area. Participants are active in business, education, arts, government, non-profit and community-based organizations and can be life-long residents or newcomers to the area. "No matter who you are or where you came from, you will learn things about your community you didn't even know was out there," Love said.

"It was a wonderful experience, especially not being from Arkansas and learning so much about the city historically and socioeconomically," said Will Griffin, a partner at the firm. Will is originally from Virginia and was part of the III class of graduates from the LGLR program. After completing the leadership program, Will went on to serve for more than 10 years as chairman and board member for the Arkansas Easter Seals Society and later as chairman for VOCALs (Volunteers for Center for Arkansas Legal Services).

But as Love stated, everyone receives an education in their city regardless of how long they have lived here. "After having lived in Little Rock for more than 40 years, I was astounded as to how much new information I learned about my hometown," said Mike Moore, a partner in the firm and part of the class of XXII. Mike continues to play an important role within the community and the LGLR program itself. He served as curriculum chair for the class of XXV and chair of the class of XXVI, served two years as chairman of the alumni board and is currently part of the advisory board.

"Those two years (being a part of the class XXV and XXVI), and being exposed to hundreds of wonderful new and upcoming leaders in Little Rock, were two of the most rewarding years of my life," Mike said. "I cannot think of anything that I would recommend to somebody interested in Little Rock more than joining and participating in an LGLR Class."

Last year, Alumni Mike Moore, Will Griffin and Khay Eddings participated in a firm-sponsored program as part of the LGLR curriculum.